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> Or might this imply that the electrons are actually distinguishable in some way? I mean... they're not in exactly the same position and state at exactly the
by handrous 5y ago
> Or might this imply that the electrons are actually distinguishable in some way?
I mean... they're not in exactly the same position and state at exactly the same time, no? That would seem to distinguish them.
- nixpulvis 5y agoPosition of an electron is actually not quite the same as position of a rock or bouncy ball. I've heard it described as an electron "cloud".
- handrous 5y agoOK, but does that affect my point? I didn't delve into that because it seemed irrelevant.
- nixpulvis 5y agoI'm not really qualified to go into this, but maybe read a little bit about the Pauli-Exclusion Principle works. I get the feeling that might be illuminating.
- handrous 5y ago> > Atoms are able to select which indistinguishable electrons will fill the lowest energy orbitals. > Or might this imply that the electrons are actually distinguishable in some way? Or maybe I should re-phrase; could each electron actually have some (possibly hidden) identity? I still don't see what that has to do with the above. The context with and relation to their surroundings seems entirely sufficient to distinguish between electrons, so they're not indistinguishable, even if, in isolation, they are.